Gary Cohn, director of the National Economic Council, announced Shahira Knight will become deputy director for domestic policy and Ashley Marquis will be made deputy director for economic affairs. | Alex Brandon/AP Photo

Cohn announces staff changes on National Economic Council

Gary Cohn, director of the National Economic Council, announced two promotions at a Friday morning staff meeting, according to a White House official.

Shahira Knight, the NEC’s lead official on tax and retirement policy, will become deputy director for domestic policy, and Ashley Marquis, Cohn’s chief of staff, will be elevated to deputy director for economic affairs, the official said.

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Marquis, Knight and Everett Eissenstat, who focuses on international economic affairs and has served as a top lieutenant to Cohn since last summer, will all jointly serve as deputy directors of the NEC. The changes come after Jeremy Katz, a top council official, left the White House last month.

Knight’s promotion puts to rest for now rumors that Knight would also leave the administration after passage of the Republican tax bill, the central issue she focused on in recent months.

Knight will succeed Jeremy Katz, who left the White House last month. Her promotion puts to rest for now rumors that Knight would also leave the administration following the passage of the Republican tax bill, the central issue she focused on in recent months.